THE PLANET MARS 



By JAMES H. WORTHINGTON 



Before entering upon the subject of this article, it is advisable 

 that I should state in a few words why it has been written and 

 precisely how the information which it contains was obtained. 

 Being much impressed by what I had read of the Martian 

 features, as detected and portrayed by Lowell and Schiaparelli, 

 I determined to avail myself of the first opportunity, if possible, 

 to see for myself whether or no these features were real, because 

 they seemed to be too wonderful to be believed at second hand. 

 The opportunity came in 1909. Thanks to Lowell's hospitality 

 and kindness, I was able to study the planet at Flagstaff during 

 the opposition of that year and was fortunate enough to see 

 many of the canals and oases and to assure myself of their 

 reality. On returning to Europe in 1910, 1 found much scepticism 

 prevailing which I scarcely knew enough to refute. I therefore 

 attempted and partially succeeded in seeing the canals again at 

 Nice. This was in 191 1. 



When the planet again approached opposition, I gladly 

 accepted Lowell's invitation to see more at Flagstaff and 

 accordingly spent two months there, observing the canals and 

 studying them in greater detail. I was able to confirm Lowell's 

 observations and by discussion with him to remove from my 

 mind many obstacles which stood in the way of accepting not 

 only the discoveries but also the explanations which he has 

 put forward. 



Having had freedom to travel, I have been able, owing to the 

 courtesy shown to me by many astronomers on my journeys, 

 to study, with the aid of exceptional facilities, the effects of 

 climate upon the astronomical work — a factor the enormous 

 importance of which can scarcely be realised by those whose 

 experience is confined to a single country or even continent. 



It seems to me therefore that I may be able to add a few 

 words of interest to the great mass of accounts which have 

 appeared recently upon this most engrossing subject. 



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